Poll Spells Trouble for Palin in 2012 ... Unless It Doesn't

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I always liked that story about Romney tying his dog to the roof of the family car as they went on a family vacation. I also like that when he was young, he lived in a Detroit ghetto -- that gives him some instant diversity. Sure enough, he's got my vote if he gets on the ballot.

Michael Vick of PA 5:48PM February 20, 2011

Sarah Palin is the proverbial third-rail of conservative politics. Criticizing her is as dangerous as criticizing Limbaugh. Both of those commentators may be wrong at times, as well as being extremists, but offending their loyal fanbase can be the deathknell for a conservative candidate.
Of course, dumping Palin could be the best way for a Republican to attract Democratic swing voters.

Ace King of CO 12:47PM February 14, 2011

Palin is good for the fringe righties to get their platform at the next GOP convention. It will be like Minneapolis'08 all over again, with whoever gets the GOP nomination having to bend over to all the lunatic right agendas.
Palin is not going to run for President, but she will try to influence the GOP - that is also long as she gets paid well to do so. And the Citizens United Royalist Tories are going to be willing to pay top dollar, especially now with the Saudi ownership of Fox News pushing their anti-democratic agenda after the fall of their buddy Mubarak.
I wouldn't doubt that Palin tries to hustle the vice president nomination again.

Cheryl of OH 3:32PM February 11, 2011

They just don't make political scientists like they used to.

steve of MD 1:05PM February 09, 2011

Like I said in the other article somewhat related to this one....
OBAMA 2012!!! That's all I'm going to say unless someone like General Petreaus or similar to him runs. My vote is for Obama!
P.S. I am neither a Democrat or Republican, but I do tend to go more conservative. Anyhow, I fully support President Obama and our Speaker of the House John Boehner, weird right? I'm a moderate!

Jorge A. Vela of TX 12:40PM February 09, 2011

CNN poll taken yesterday has Sarah in 2nd place to Huckabee. By 2 %...
"The survey indicates that the race for the Republican nomination is still wide open, with Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, and Mitt Romney all clustered at the top of the pack. Twenty-one percent of Republicans and independents who lean Republican say if Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and 2008 GOP presidential candidate, decides to run for the White House, they would be likely to support him for their party's presidential nomination, followed by Palin, the former Alaska governor & 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, at 19 percent, and Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and 2008 Republican presidential contender, at 18 percent."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/08/cnn-poll-republicans-want-winner-over-ideology-in-2012/

Bill Hedges of MO 11:22AM February 09, 2011

You may think that, but I think Sarah Palin is just too smart for the American people. She's playing everyone like a fiddle without anyone even knowing what’s really going on. As a political scientist I have to say she is a political genius.

Nick of PA 11:13AM February 09, 2011

Sarah Palin is unelectable on every account. She's about as electable at this point as Ted Nugent.
Sorry, that's a fact. The path she has chosen to seek celebrity rather than hold a respectable office has gained her public attention but not of the sort to earn votes, just the type that earns viewers.
Sarah Palin lost the 2008 election for John McCain, if nominated to run for full on President she could lose the 2012 election for the Republicans for presidential office and Congressional/Senate seats alike.
She is a liability as a candidate and needs to be used as a public voice to earn support for a respectable, qualified and worthy GOP presidential candidate. The only asset she provides is using her celebrity to pull in her grass-roots followers for a more moderate candidate who can earn the swing vote.
That being said, I hope she gets the nomination ;)

Brandon Allen of NC 11:02AM February 09, 2011

I am amazed that people believe that Sara Palin is a viable candidate for president. She could not even finish the governorship position, she quite half way through. She does not offer the skills, and intelligence to be the president. All of her press conferences are hand picked reporters that throw her beach ball questions. She is a rebel rouser and that is all.

Steve of CT 10:51AM February 09, 2011

In my opinion Palin is the only real candidate on the ballot. I think Romney is just not forceful enough and his elite Mormon background will isolate voters; he may be good vice presidential material though. The only other person I can think of who might have a shot is Chris Christie, but he hasn't been in office long enough and doesn't show the will to run. By default you get Palin, and I think she's the best the GOP could ask for to go against Obama. They're both superstars. I suspect Palin will win too simply because Obama will find some way to lose. The White House has been a disaster since the start of Obama's term.

Nick of PA 10:33AM February 09, 2011